Youth Activities

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy

Community Center, Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers Street, 646-358-6880

Annual arts exhibition

Kids, teens and adults show their work created in BPCPC’s painting & drawing programs. Opening reception is Sun., Feb. 5 from 1 to 3pm. Continues weekdays from 2 to 4 pm thru March 31. Free.

Will You Be My Valentine

Express your love in the time-honored tradition of handmade greeting cards. Create personalized cards using scissors, thread, stamps, crayons and glue. Sat., Feb. 11 from 2 – 4pm. Reservations are recommended. 212-267-9700 x 366. All materials will be provided. Cookies and tea will be served. $10, children and teens $5.

Borders

100 Broadway, 212-964-1988

Story time

Join Miss Tonya for stories and fun on the second Saturday of the month.

Chelsea Piers

The Field House, Pier 62, 23rd St. & the Hudson River, Contact Jack Hyman, 212-336-6500 x6582

Flip ‘n Flick

Parents, put on your dancing shoes and hit the town, but don’t forget to drop the kids off at the Field House at Chelsea Piers first. Children can come for an evening of gymnastics, trampoline, rock climbing, dinner and a movie with popcorn while parents enjoy a great night out. Now your children can have as much fun as you do when you go out. Sat., Feb. 11 from 7-11pm. Ages 5 and up. $45 for the first child; $25 per sibling.

fraunces tavern museum

54 Pearl St., 212-425-1778, www.FrauncesTavernMuseum.com

shell work valentines

Shell work was a popular hobby in the 18th and 19th centuries. People would affix shells to pieces of wood making abstract designs and other pictures. Come and work with shells to create your very own one of a kind valentine. Sat., Feb. 4 at 11am. Free with museum admission.

create a tavern sign

Tavern signs were like early billboards designed to catch the eye of a possible customer. Come and paint your own tavern sign. Sat., Mar. 4 at 11am. Free with museum admission

Manhattan Children’s Theatre

52 White St., bet Broadway & Church Sts., 212-352-3101, www.theatermania.com

Last of the Dragons

Princes are supposed to save princesses from dragons, but what if neither the Princess nor the Dragon wants to cooperate? Based on the short story by E. Nesbit, “The Last of the Dragons,” and tells the story of a Princess and Dragon, both determined to break from tradition but for very different reasons. All ages. Thru Feb. 12. Sat. & Sun. at 12 and 2pm. $15.

Brave Irene

By the author of Shrek, this tale follows Irene through challenging adventures as she tries to help her sick mother make ends meet. Facing the harsh winter elements such as Wind, Cold and Darkness, Irene finds the courage and strength within herself to complete her mission while learning that true love can actually save the day. All ages. Feb. 18 – April 2. Sat. & Sun. at 12 and 2pm. $15.

Manhattan youth

212-766-1104, www.manhattanyouth.org

Programs for Children

Manhattan Youth provides the children and families of Downtown with quality programs during non-school hours. Check below for details on current events. All programs require pre-registration.

Swimming Lessons – Offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school. Classes are taught by experienced, certified and friendly instructors under the supervision of the Swim Director at the Downtown Day Camp. Lessons are 40 minutes long. Children must be in kindergarten or above. Lessons offered year round.

Swimming Parties – Pool parties are available this winter & spring at the private pool in Battery Park City. With warm water in the cold winter, the parties are great for children of all ages. Log onto website or send an email to swim@manhattanyouth.org for details or to book a party.

After-School Programs – Available at PS 234, PS 89 and PS 150. Sign-up forms are available at www.manhattanyouth.org. Keep in mind that the new school dismissal schedule has had an effect on the program times.

THE SCHOLASTIC STORE

557 Broadway, between Prince and Spring in SoHo, Stroller entrance: 130 Mercer St., Event hotline: 212-343-6166

Enjoy stories read by the Scholastic Story Teller every Sunday and Tuesday at 2pm. All ages. Free.

cool-riculum

A series of fun enrichment workshops for kids of all ages to help them build, create and explore. The program was created to provide children with enrichment in such areas as literacy, creativity and independent thinking. It is also a great way for kids and parents to participate in group activities and socialize with friends. Workshops include Express Yourself, a hands-on crafting activity that allows any child to be creative, build skills and make a mess in a safe, fun environment (Ages 4-5); ABC Language Exchange, use songs and stories to learn French or Spanish (Ages 4-9); RoboFUN with Lego Robotics, aspiring inventors can design and build whatever they dream up (Ages 7-13); Klutz Build-A-Book, kids can build their very own three-dimensional book using words, pictures and objects (Ages 4+); Stretch Out and Read, enjoy stories with creative movement and imagination (Ages 3-4); Mad Science, hands-on experiments bring the mysteries of science to a real-world level that kids can understand and enjoy (Ages 3-7); Little Maestros, helps kids develop essential language abilities, express their creativity and rock out (Ages 3 months – 3 years). Call for more information.

Make a Friend

Learn fun and safe ways to meet new friends. Listen to a story and have fun creating a gift out of pipe cleaners and beads to give to a friend. Sat., Feb. 4 at 3pm. Ages 3+.

Clifford celebrates valentine’s day Come and make a special valentine with your favorite big red dog. Sat. , Feb. 11 at 3pm. All ages.

Valentine’s Day screening

Watch Clifford’s Valentine’s day episode in the scholastic auditorium. Sat., Feb. 11 at 11 am and 1pm. All ages. Call to make reservations at 212-389-3800.

Celebrate west africa’s rich cultural heritage Listen to a story, learn a rhythm and dance to the drum. Sat., Feb. 18 at 3pm. Ages 3+.

pop bead critters!

Snap, pop, and crackle beads together to make funny creatures. Learn how to make cool spiders, sea stars, jewelry treasures and much more. Sat., Feb. 25 at 3pm. Ages 3+.

skyscraper museum

39 Battery Place, 212-968-1961, www.skyscaper.org

ENERGY SAVERS

The exhibit "Green Towers: From Visionary to Vernacular" in part examines the way roofs can make a building sustainable. What can be put on top of the building to make it most energy efficient? After a tour of the exhibition where you can learn a little bit more about how to make your building friendly to the environment, use various art supplies to create building toppers. Sat., Feb. 4 from 10:15 am – 11:30 am. Reservations recommended. 212-945-6324.

Valentine’S DAY CARD CREATIONS

Give that special someone a structural smooch with a homemade skyscraper card. Learn the best way to climb your way to the top of his/her heart! Sat., Feb. 11 from 10:30 am – 11:30 am. Reservations recommended. Call (212) 945-6324.

south street seaport museum

say cheeeeese

Many photographers have taken New York City as their “muse.” Come explore the art of photography and create a hand made camera to take home. Sat., Feb. 4 and Sun., Feb 5 from 1-4 pm. Free with museum admission. 12 Fulton Street. 212.748.8758.